Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all.Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all. Nelson Mandela

Another very warm, Sept. 24th afternoon greeted 269 energetic Walkers ready to 'Help End Hunger One Step at a Time'. Central Kentucky's only Walk to fight hunger and poverty, near and far, has raised to date nearly $23,000! Although we did not achieve our 30th Anniversary $30,000 goal, we are hopeful that expected Christmas and end-of-year donations will be forthcoming.
We represented a diverse, interfaith community of 25 church families and friends from 6 counties; Fayette, Scott, Woodford, Jessamine, Clark and Bourbon and 2 organizations; ONE and God's Pantry Food Bank. We welcomed 'new' friends this year: Southern Hills United Methodist Church (UMC), Centenary UMC, Northeast Christian Church, Central Christian, Versailles Presbyterian, Clintonville Christian and First Christian, Richmond KY.

Gratitude to Providence Christian, Southern Hills UMC, Unitarian Universalist, East 2nd St. Christian Church, First Church of Christ, Scientist and Crestwood Christian youth and staff for their creative, informative educational stations along our 3 mile Walk downtown. Many Thanks also to Crestwood Christian for hosting another successful ecumenical pre-Walk Youth-Poster Making Pizza gathering the prior Sunday.

After 14 years of Walking Together with each one of you and yours, and working with Church World Service and God's Pantry Food Bank to make a difference in the lives of all God's children in need, I am truly grateful for our commitments to 'be the change we want to see'. Thanks to one and all for your time, energy, resources and dedication to Our Walk Mission! Looking forward to 2018!

Monday, September 18, 2017

Crestwood
Christian Church was overflowing with energy and creativity Sun. Sept. 17th
when 55 youth and 12 leaders gathered to meet new friends while playing robust
games in the gym, eating pizza, sandwiches, fruit and cookies and making
colorful, unique posters to carry on our Walk, Sept. 24th. Abundant
Gratitude to Rev. Kory, Rev. Trish, Casey and team for hosting
another successful ecumenical event that brought together 'Walking' youth
from Providence Christian (Jessamine CO), Central Christian, East 2nd St. Christian,
First Christian (Winchester) and Crestwood.

Friendly Reminders as we
prepare for next Sunday's Walk:

We are 'GREEN' and it will be a warm day! DO bring,
and REMIND others, your own water bottle which can be refilled at Southern
Hills UMC Water Station. E. Main/MLK.

Crossing guard volunteers will be located at the major
intersections. BUT, everyone MUST Walk on the sidewalks and
adhere to traffic lights. The route will be well marked with
official posters. Strollers, wagons, dogs are OK....no bicycles,
skateboards.

Print your on-line confirmation donation receipt and take
with you (or give to someone) to ALFALFA's for Brunch or take-out SUNDAY,
9-2 PM. They will donate 20% (before sales tax) to our
mission. GOOD NEWS! indeed.

Abundant Thanks! to Providence Christian, Southern Hills
UMC, Crestwood Christian, Unitarian Universalist, Meadowthorpe
Presbyterian, East 2nd St. Christian and Christian Science for giving all
Walkers visual, interactive moments of reflection as to why we are Walking
in Solidarity for all our neighbors in need of the most basic human
rights!

Monday, August 28, 2017

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?" Martin Luther King

The Greater Lexington CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Hunger Walk will be Sunday Sept. 24th, at Second Presbyterian Church, E. Main St. Registration and check-in begins at 3:00 PM. Meet and greet fellowship activities will include poster making, a visit to God's Pantry Food Bank station to donate a can(s) hi-protein food, discover how you can support the 'ONE' campaign's fight against extreme poverty and preventable diseases in Africa at their station, purchase and wear the 'new' 2017 Walk T-shirt, gather for group pictures, etc. 3:25 will be our send-off message. The 3 mile experiential Walk (and bus service) begins promptly at 3:30. (the walk route map and more specific info will be posted here after Sept. 12th).

A productive, exciting Recruiter's Rally was held Aug. 17th. Andrew Gifford, our Church World Service liaison, Columbus, Ohio, shared Good News following his recent visits to Myanmar and South Vietnam. He explained how a portion of the 75% funds raised in the 2016 national Walks has contributed to the successful nutrition and hygiene educational programs now in place for thousands of our global neighbors in Asia. Rebecca Wallace, God's Pantry Food Bank, expressed gratitude for our 25% grant which helped provide 71,000 meals and snacks to Kid's Cafe, Back Pack and Summer Feeding programs. Yes, indeed we DO make a difference!c

Ecumenical Poster-making and Pizza Party for ALL youth, their leaders and parents! Abundant Thanks! to Rev. Kory Wilcoxson and Casey McDonald for once again hosting this creative, interfaith event. PLEASE contact Casey (casey@crestwoodchristian.org) or Judy Maxson (jke659@gmail.com) before Sept. 14th with the number of people we can expect from your church or organization. THANK YOU!

With the addition of committed recruiters representing 'new' congregations and organizations, my team and I are confident that we will reach our $30,000 goal this 30th year! I am grateful for each participating Walker and Team Member's dedication to our Walk mission! For we are bringing gifts of HOPE, sharing HELP and restoring DIGNITY to all God's children in need of the most basic human rights. Thank You!